The Phoenix

human

Katara leaned against the side of the ship watching the waters across the horizon, it felt weird having no control over the water that she could almost touch, to not bend at all. She given up on trying to get her bending back till it was useful to the pirates.

She was lost in her mind thinking about her family, what they might be doing, how they were looking for her, if the fire nation was helping or if they were in a battle of blame of who lost the bride. Fire lord iroh didn't seem horrible, he seemed like a kind man. Lu ten was kind too, for being a forced marriage it could've been worst. The family itself suffered from the war, losing half of their loved ones, they weren't monsters.

"Katara," a deep voice called her name.

She looked over her shoulder seeing the captain motioning for her to come to the quarters. She sighed softly and went to see what he needed.

The captain wasn't as savage either in the day light, a criminal pirate that tortured and killed? Yes. But he had reason for his kills and the man he tortured, she didn't agree but she knew the reasons. But he was also fire nation, not a monster, the fire nation maybe wasnt as brutal and horrible as everyone made them out to be. In war no one was innocent.

"What do you need captain?" Katara walked over flipping her braid over her shoulder.

"Here," he handed her a piece of bread as xan's door was opened with the old man eating his own soup.

"Breakfast," the captain told her like it was obvious.

"I thought if I didn't work I didn't eat?" Katara held the bread suspiciously.

"You are working?" He made a face.

"I am?" She asked.

"Me lassy!" Xan waved with a big smile.

"Oh what needs to be done?" Katara walked over the man curiously.

"Lee doesn't want me dead yet, mind easing my pain a little lass while I wait to die?" Xan chuckled as she took his bowl from him knowing he was to weak.

"I told you stop talking like that," Zuko called from the room, it amused the old man.

"I'm coming for you whore!" Xan pointed to the ground.

"Be nice to Zana!" Zuko yelled.

"She blinded me!"

"And she should've taken your other eye while she was at it," he poked his head in the doorway as Katara sat on a stood next to xan.

"I wish she stabbed my ears so I didn't have to listen to your bitching," Xan pouted as Zuko groaned walking away.

"Sorry who? Is she on the ship?" Katara didn't understand.

"My wife, she's been dead for five ish years, me best right hand man I ever had before that bugger came along," Xan explained with a raspy cough.

"You call her a whore?" Katar raised a brow.

"She was a manipulative bitch, flashed her tits and got me one of my prized blades," Xan motioned to the black and blue mixed blade hung up. It had crystals along the guard.

"Taught me how to live, my daughter is a damn replica," he laughed softly shaking his head.

"Yet you curse her name once a week," Zuko brought him a water and a bowl of water for Katara.

"Love of my damn life," he sighed resting his head back but coughed into his hand harshly. Katara looked over her shoulder to see if the captain would come back but it seemed like he wasn't even in the room.

"Here drink something," Katara handed him the water but paused seeing blood covering his hand. He wiped it on a handkerchief from his pocket that had bloodstains.

"Does your lungs hurt?" She asked as he drank some water.

"Darling, everything hurts, don't tell the lad that I'm coughing up blood again though," Xan gulped the water with a deep breath.

"Shouldn't the captain know? He's the one that's going beyond to get you better," Katara moved her hand over the bowl to see if she could bend again.

"The boy may act like a cold stone bastard, but he's more emotional and sensitive than you'd think, if he found out it's getting worse he'd sell his soul to find me a cure," he sighed but saw Katara bend the water out of the bowl.

"Just let me know where the pain is and how bad," she moved the water over his chest as it began to glow.

"Does he know that everyone dies? No matter how hard you fight it life happens," Katara pursed her lips but noticed the tension leaving the old mans face when she went over his heart.

"He knows that to well, his mother was slaughtered in front of him, it... it was literally burned into him that it was his fault, I guess he doesn't want to let me die without giving it his all to try saving me... at least one parent he wants to make sure they know he would do anything to keep them alive," Xan explained to her as he looked exhausted.

"I thought he was adopted?" Katara asked confused.

"I basically adopted the kid a few days after his mother died, it seems like it was right time right place with me, otherwise he'd be dead as the other bodies at the bottom of this sea," he smiled softly.

"Remember first time he called me dad, hated it, I wish it was better circumstances, but I've been calling him son since day one, I don't mind," he babbled without really thinking. "Always wanted a boy,"

"Sounds like you two have a good relationship for pirate adoption," Katara joked and Xan sighed smiling.

"I did my best with him, proud to let him be the captain," he nodded.

Katara moved the water up and down as Xan closed his eyes enjoying the pain relief throughout his body, she found her self smiling seeing she was doing something right. Forgetting this man probably killed people and burned down homes, but hearing that he's taking mercy on children and that he had a wife and child of his own, he seemed more human. He lifted his chin a little and Katara saw a burn mark on his neck right by his collarbone.
He was suppose to get hung for just being a pirate.

"Where does it still hurt?" Katara asked softly.

"My chest," he breathed sinking into the pillow. She spread the water around his chest and he groaned like bricks were just lifted off his body.

"Thank you darling, you're a true jewel," Xan smiled as he inhaled a deep breath but it sounded smoother than before.

"I'm guessing that's making you feel better," she chuckled.

"Once we get spirit water I'll see how far it can go," Katara pulled the water away and he gasped in pain breaking out into a harsh cough.

"Fuck, thank you Katara, I know you don't want to help but I'll be in debt to you after all this," Xan sat up breathing heavy.

Katara paused for a moment looking back at the empty room, the captain wasn't anywhere near, she had her bending. She gulped a little but smiled back at Xan. 

"I don't mind, keeps me busy," she told him kindly.